Does Smoking Cannabis Make You Cough? 8 Ways to Relieve Throat Discomfort Caused by Cannabis Smoke.
8 Ways to Relieve Smoker's Cough
Your lungs are designed to extract life-giving oxygen molecules from fresh air. Several muscles work together to expand your lungs and inhale air, while tiny sacs called alveoli allow oxygen to diffuse into your bloodstream, fueling important physiological processes. Of course, while our ancestors spent a lot of time sitting around campfires, our lungs can only handle limited exposure to smoke before their function begins to decline.
If you only occasionally use cannabis, you may never experience persistent smoker's cough. But if you use cannabis frequently, you'll be familiar with this annoying symptom. Below, you'll learn the causes of smoker's cough and how to deal with it, giving your lungs room to breathe.
What is a smoker's cough?
Coughing serves an important function. This reflex can push particles out of the lungs and throat at speeds of around 50 miles per hour. Given how important our lungs are, it makes sense to have this defense mechanism to clear irritants and obstructions. We cough for many reasons, including respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, and excessive smoking.
Over the past few decades of public health campaigns, we've become aware of the dangers of smoking. Smoking not only causes a variety of different cancers and makes us vulnerable to deadly diseases like heart disease, but it also inflicts serious damage on our lungs.
Our lungs are made up not just of epithelial cells (which line the airways and produce mucus), but also of hair-like structures called cilia, which help move mucus out of the lungs. Smoking damages these structures, which means that the lungs have a harder time clearing all that "junk mucus," resulting in the coughing symptom seen in smokers.
Can cannabis cause a smoker's cough?
The answer is yes. Smoking cannabis involves combustion, and every time you use a joint, pipe, or mix, you're inhaling varying amounts of toxins, carcinogens, and tar. These substances damage the cilia and increase mucus production, leading to coughing over time.
Will a smoker's cough go away on its own?
If you stop smoking, will you stop coughing up disgusting brownish-yellow phlegm? Yes, because the lungs are a self-repairing biological organ made up of dividing cells that follow genetic codes. Once the damaging factors are eliminated, the lungs will begin repairing themselves.
How to get rid of smoker's cough?
Assuming you've noticed a wheezing or whistling sound when you cough, and have seen a doctor to rule out any other possible causes, if you want to get rid of your smoker's cough without quitting smoking, some people may want to know how to do so.
Unfortunately, this approach does not work. Although there may be intermittent periods of relief, continuing to smoke can make you more prone to developing smoker's cough. Here are some natural ways to alleviate smoker's cough and how to continue enjoying cannabis without burning it.
1.Change your method of use
Changing the way cannabis is consumed can help alleviate smoking-related coughing. Many people find that switching to an electronic cigarette can still provide a similar ritualistic and satisfying experience as smoking while reducing the burden on their lungs. Electronic cigarettes do not burn cannabis flowers, but instead use low-temperature vaporization to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis while leaving behind most plant matter. This not only makes the experience more flavorful but also reduces the amount of toxic substances that come into contact with the lungs. However, electronic cigarettes still carry risks. cannabis users who use electronic cigarettes may still develop bronchitis and cough daily, but preliminary evidence suggests that it is better than smoking.
You can also use cannabis without inhaling smoke or vapor. Edibles like cakes and brownies (as well as healthier options like olive oil and concentrated smoothies) provide a lasting and efficient non-lung irritating experience. However, note that consuming THC leads to a more intense psychoactive experience as the liver converts the molecule into a stronger 11-hydroxy-THC chemical.
If you want to experience the quick effects of smoking and electronic cigarettes, you can also use cannabis sublingually. Placing the extract under the tongue allows cannabinoids to directly diffuse into the bloodstream, producing a rapid and efficient high that is not too intense.
2.Trying natural remedies to ease smoker's cough
A warm cup of tea not only nourishes the soul but can also help soothe throat pain and relieve phlegm. But it's not just limited to milk and sugar-added black tea. You can use many plants and natural products that contain beneficial ingredients. When brewing tea, consider adding the following ingredients to the mix to help ease smoker's cough:
- Green tea：This tea contains a lot of antioxidants and may help relieve throat blockages.
- Ginger：This spicy root is often chosen when people want to prevent common colds. The herb has anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the throat, and relaxes the respiratory membranes.
- Honey：This bee product helps soothe the throat. One study even found that it can effectively treat coughs like over-the-counter cough suppressants.
- Turmeric：This bright orange rhizome is a major ingredient in Indian cuisine and a member of the ginger family. It has anti-inflammatory compounds that can help ease coughs.
3.Rinse with salt water
While saltwater might not be the most enjoyable drink, it can help soothe the throat discomfort caused by smoking cough. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water, swish it around your mouth for about ten seconds, then spit it out, and repeat until the cup is empty.
4.Exercise and practice deep breathing
Simple and free exercises can help combat smoker's cough. Aim to complete at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day. Running and cycling can help increase your heart rate, increase your body's demand for oxygen, and speed up your breathing. Challenging your lungs in this way can help clear out accumulated phlegm. If you're a beginner, don't set your expectations too high. Even a simple 30-minute walk can increase your heart rate and get your lungs working.
You should also consider spending 10 minutes each day practicing breathing exercises. You don't need to break out a yoga mat to start practicing yoga. These techniques can help fill your lungs with oxygen and improve lung function. When it comes to breathing exercises, the box breathing technique is an easy option for beginners.
5.Take a steam bath
Close the windows and door in the bathroom, turn on the hot water, and take a hot steam bath. What could be more relaxing than that? In addition to feeling completely relaxed, steam can also help moisturize dry and irritated throats and loosen phlegm in the lungs.
6.Healthy diet
When you start to recover, take care of your body. Make sure you're consuming enough calories and try to meet your recommended macronutrient targets. Also, avoid foods that can exacerbate cough and mucus, such as milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. Additionally, reduce your intake of alcohol and coffee, as these can also worsen coughing. In addition to proper nutrition intake, drink 6-8 cups of water each day to dilute the mucus in your throat and lungs, making it easier to clear out.
7.Raise your head when sleeping
Add one (or two) pillows when sleeping to raise your head above your lungs. This can help to use gravity to clear any accumulated mucus in the throat. It also prevents the mucus from moving up during sleep, which may cause coughing at night.
8.Use a humidifier in your room
A humidifier can increase the humidity in the air and help soothe a sore throat. Dry air makes it harder to cough up mucus, so adding moisture to the environment can help clear your lungs. Place a humidifier on your desk while working or in your bedroom while sleeping. You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the machine to help loosen the mucus when inhaling.
Let your lungs rest from smoking cannabis
Now that you know the methods you can take to alleviate smoker's cough, keep in mind that these methods are not cures, but they can help to ease your airways and clear some mucus. Fortunately, these methods don't require too much effort. In fact, most of these involve self-care. The only downside is that you need to give up smoking your favorite herb. However, you can still enjoy delicious vaporized flavors and cannabis-infused edibles in moderation!
